This is Tillie, a 4-year-old (Date of Birth: 9/8/2009) medium Golden that stands tall and proud on her legs. Tillie was released on October 19 from a commercial breeder with her buddy, Tess (13-333). She has been very inquisitive and outgoing for a girl with no socialization, but scares easily with quick movements by humans. She will follow you outside into the fenced-in yard and around the house, but shies away if you quickly turn around. Time, love, and patience will show Tillie that humans are great creatures full of love for her. She loves to race and play with the resident dog. Tillie has been playing with squeaky toys, chewing on bones, and racing with the RD since shortly after her arrival in our home.
Within 2 hours of arriving
Playing with the resident dog... look at that tail move!
Rest time, but staying alert
Tillie is independent in the house and out in the fenced yard. She will roam the house and lay wherever she wants, not needing a "safe spot," but wanting to be able to keep foster mom and dad in her sight. She freely sleeps in her kennel when we are home and in the lower level of the house, or sprawled next to the fish tank in the walkway between the dining room and living room when we are upstairs.
Becoming acclimated to foster home. "Look how long I am."
She has been working on potty training and had very few accidents in the house. Thus far, I haven't figured out a signal that Tillie gives to go out, other than leaving the room where we humans are. We just make sure to let her out every time the RD goes outside. She is kenneled in our room at night and will occasionally whine or howl in order to assure herself that we are in the room. She immediately stops and goes back to sleep when we talk to her.
Tillie ignores both of our cats. According to the Good Samaritan who helped Tillie to freedom, there are many children on the farm who spend time around the dogs. She gets along well with my two children, ages 9 and 11.
Tillie had her wellness check at the vet and was found to be very healthy. Dr. T. did recommend that she lose about 5 pounds since she weighed in at 75.5 pounds, but she does carry her existing weight well. She is heartworm and parasite free, but needs a booster shot in a few weeks. She will have her spay operation soon and then will be ready for her forever home.
"All done, FM."
In her forever home, Tillie will need (1) another medium- to large-sized dog she can emulate and have as a companion, (2) children must be at least 10 years old since running, noisy children at this point would frighten her, and (3) right at the moment, her recall is not good (just received her name upon entering RAGOM), so she will need a fenced yard or leash walking at all times (this may be subject to change as she progresses). When Tillie has been with us for a while longer, I will have a better idea of what else she needs in her forever home. Keep an eye on this inquisitive girl as she makes progress in the real world, and when she is fully vetted and becomes comfortable in the house, she will be a wonderful asset to any home that has a resident dog that loves to play.
